Messi: The Forgotten Tape

This documentary examines the competition between Spain and Argentina to secure the loyalty of a young Lionel Messi. The story centers on a VHS tape containing highlights of the teenager playing for Barcelona, which was delivered to an Argentine assistant coach. This footage sparked an urgent effort by the Argentine Football Association to integrate the player into their national team through quick friendly matches before Spain could claim him as a citizen.

Produced by ESPN Films in Argentina, the film was directed by Nicolás Salazar and produced by Macarena Gagliardi. The production features appearances by Fernando Palomo, Pablo Zabaleta, Jaume Marcet, and Claudio Vivas, while utilizing archival footage of Lionel Messi and Marcelo Bielsa. The short film has a runtime of 24 minutes and was released on May 10, 2026.